Study in USA

The world’s largest university system — research that leads every field, a flexible degree structure, and up to three years of post-study work on STEM OPT.

More international students choose the United States than any other country — over a million a year. The draw is breadth: every field at every level, and a system built around flexibility, research and industry connection.

Internships are part of the degree, not an extra — CPT lets you work while you study, and OPT carries you into the workforce after graduation. Costs vary more than anywhere else, which cuts both ways: alongside the famous names sit hundreds of excellent public universities where tuition and living costs are genuinely manageable.

Universities
433
Intl students / yr
1M+
Stem opt work
3 yrs
Student visa
F-1

Why the usa

  • Research that leads: More top-100 universities than any other country (#1)
  • Flexible degrees: Switch majors, add minors, build your own path (Any major)
  • Work built in: CPT during study, up to 3 years of OPT after (3 yrs)
  • Every kind of campus: Big-city, college-town and coastal campuses (50 states)

Intakes

  • Fall — starts Aug – Sep — apply Sep – Jan of the prior year — The main intake — widest program choice, most funding decisions made here.
  • Spring — starts Jan – Feb — apply Apr – Sep of the prior year — A strong plan B — many programs, slightly fewer scholarship rounds.
  • Summer — starts May – Jun — apply Oct – Feb same academic year — Offered by a smaller set of programs — check availability early.

What it costs: TUITION US$25–55K · LIVING US$12–22K · + INSURANCE US$1.5–2.5K

  • Bachelor’s tuition: US$25 – 45k / yr — Public universities sit at the lower end; private institutions higher.
  • Master’s tuition: US$28 – 55k / yr — Often 1–2 years — assistantships can offset a large share.
  • Living costs: US$12 – 22k / yr — Housing drives the range — college towns cost far less than big metros.
  • Health insurance: US$1.5 – 2.5k / yr — Required by nearly all universities, usually billed with tuition.

Scholarships and funding

  • University merit awards: UP TO FULL TUITION — Considered automatically at many universities when you apply with a strong profile.
  • Graduate assistantships: TUITION + STIPEND — Teach or research part-time — the most common way master’s students cut costs.
  • External & government awards: FULLY FUNDED — Fulbright and country-specific schemes — competitive, earliest deadlines.

Tests you may need

  • English proficiency: Most programs — IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo or PTE — minimums are set per program and intake.
  • Graduate entry: Some programs — GRE or GMAT — increasingly optional, but strong scores still help funding.
  • Undergraduate entry: Often optional — SAT or ACT — many universities are test-optional for international applicants.

Many US programs are now test-optional — each program page lists exactly what its intake asks for.

F-1 student visa · four steps

  1. Receive your I-20: Issued by your university once your offer is accepted and funds are documented.
  2. Pay the SEVIS fee: The I-901 fee (US$350) registers you in the student system.
  3. File the DS-160: The online visa application, plus the US$185 visa fee.
  4. Embassy interview: Book early — slots fill fast. Gradsy preps you with country-specific questions.

Work while you study and after

  • On-campus work: Up to 20 hours a week while classes run, full-time in breaks.
  • CPT internships: Degree-related internships and co-ops, authorized by your university.
  • OPT after graduation: Work in your field after finishing — no employer sponsorship needed.
  • STEM OPT extension: STEM graduates extend to three years of post-study work in total.

Typical graduate salaries

  • Software engineering: US$90k – 140k
  • Data & AI: US$95k – 145k
  • Engineering: US$75k – 125k
  • Business & finance: US$60k – 100k

Student cities

  • Boston: The densest student city in the country — biotech and research on every block
  • New York City: Every industry’s headquarters — unmatched internship access
  • San Francisco Bay: The heart of tech and venture capital — Berkeley to Stanford
  • Austin: Fast-growing tech scene with a far lower cost of living
  • Chicago: Big-city careers in finance and consulting at midwestern prices
  • Seattle: Cloud, aerospace and gaming giants right next to campus

Questions students ask

Can I work while I study in the US?

Yes — on campus up to 20 hours a week during term, and full-time during breaks. Degree-related internships run through CPT, and after graduation OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization, extendable to 36 months for STEM fields.

Do I need GRE or SAT scores?

Increasingly, no. Many universities are test-optional at both levels. Each program page on Gradsy lists exactly what its intake requires — and where a strong score still helps with scholarships.

How much money do I need to show for the visa?

You document funds covering your first year’s tuition and living costs — the exact figure is printed on your I-20. Bank statements, education loans and sponsor letters all count.

When should I start applying for a Fall intake?

About a year ahead. Applications for Fall typically open the September before, and funding decisions favor early files — Gradsy’s submit-by dates keep you ahead of every official deadline.

Search 433 United States universities · Find your best-fit programs